VALVE BODY AND ACTUATOR COMPRISING SUCH A VALVE BODY
The valve body design with reinforcing ribs at its ends addresses space and structural challenges, allowing coaxial conduit connection and efficient heat management with minimal thickness, enhancing structural integrity and coolant circulation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR SAS
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing valve bodies in motor vehicles face challenges in minimizing space occupation and providing opposing forces for coaxial connection of external conduits, especially with minimal thickness, as conventional designs either occupy too much space or are unsuitable for metals other than magnesium.
A valve body design featuring a liquid or fluid conduit with reinforcing ribs at its ends, allowing for coaxial connection of external conduits, molded under high pressure, and press-fitted for secure attachment, with ribs extending along the Y-axis parallel to a gas conduit, and made of materials like aluminum to withstand high pressure and temperature.
The design efficiently occupies less space while providing sufficient structural integrity for coaxial conduit attachment, enabling effective heat dissipation and coolant circulation with minimal thickness.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: VALVE BODY AND ACTUATOR COMPRISING SUCH A VALVE BODY
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to a valve body and an actuator comprising such a valve body.
[0002] Motor vehicles are conventionally equipped with a valve body for the intake and recirculation of air or gas. The valve body may be provided with a liquid or fluid conduit. Conventionally, the liquid or fluid conduit is used in a valve body to allow heat dissipation or heat absorption in the vehicle's powertrain system. The liquid or fluid conduit essentially comprises two openings for the connection of external conduits. Generally, valve bodies are die-cast from aluminum with a minimum thickness. This minimum thickness requires a valve body with opposing ends of a liquid or fluid conduit. Conventionally, an opposing force is applied at the non-coaxial or offset opposing ends. However, the space occupied by the liquid or fluid conduit and the conduits represents a constraint.Several improvements have been proposed in relation to the aforementioned problem.
[0003] Publication US20150267622A1 discloses a valve body for an internal combustion engine equipped with a conditioning circuit. However, the coolant circulation circuit includes an L-shaped circuit which incorporates a complex mechanism and occupies a larger space.
[0004] Publication US2008313898A1 discloses a magnesium valve body and a method for manufacturing it. A valve body with conduits along the same axis is disclosed, but only for a magnesium valve body. Furthermore, the arrangement is different and unsuitable for a valve body made of a metal other than magnesium. In addition, the arrangement would not be appropriate for a minimum thickness, as opposing forces are essential for securing the conduits.
[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to design a liquid or fluid conduit that occupies less space, and a liquid or fluid conduit having a structure capable of providing an opposing force for the insertion of conduits into a valve body with minimal thickness. Another objective of the invention is to provide an opposing force for fitting external conduits onto a liquid or fluid conduit coaxially for a valve body with minimal thickness.
[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to a valve body for an electromechanical actuator of a motor vehicle, comprising a gas conduit extending to A liquid or fluid conduit extends through the valve body along an X-axis and along a Y-axis. The liquid or fluid conduit has two ends: a first external conduit connected to the first end of the liquid or fluid conduit and a second external conduit connected to the second end of the liquid or fluid conduit. At least one of the two ends of the liquid or fluid conduit includes a reinforcing element. According to the invention, the reinforcing element is a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed near at least one of the two ends of the liquid or fluid conduit.
[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the extension direction of the liquid or fluid conduit is parallel to the extension direction of the gas conduit.
[0008] According to a feature of the invention, at least a part of the first external conduit and at least a part of the second external conduit are coaxial along the Y axis of the valve body.
[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the valve body is molded under high pressure with the reinforcing element.
[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the plurality of reinforcing ribs is distributed angularly around the first end and / or the second end of the conduit for liquid or fluid.
[0011] According to the invention, the plurality of reinforcing ribs converge towards the first end and / or the second end of the conduit for liquid or fluid in the direction of the Y axis.
[0012] According to one feature of the invention, the first external conduit and the second external conduit are press-fitted respectively into the first end and the second end.
[0013] The invention also relates to an electromechanical actuator comprising a valve body according to one of the aforementioned characteristics, a movable flap mounted on a shaft, an electric motor and a gear mechanism kinematically mounted between the motor and the flap.
[0014] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0015] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of an isometric view from one side of the valve body;
[0016] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of an isometric view from an opposite side of the valve body;
[0017] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the valve body;
[0018] [Fig.4] represents an actuator comprising a valve body according to the invention.
[0019] It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in sufficient detail for its implementation, and that the figures help to further define the invention if necessary. However, the invention should not be limited to the embodiment disclosed in the description.
[0020] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], a valve body is disclosed in one aspect of the present invention. The invention relates more particularly to a valve body 100 for an electromechanical actuator. The valve body 100 comprises a gas conduit 102 extending through the valve body 100 along an X-axis. The gas may be recycled gas, exhaust gas, or purified gas. The valve body 100 is provided with a liquid or fluid conduit 120 extending through the valve body 100 along a Y-axis. The liquid or fluid conduit 120 has two ends 108a and 108b on either side or on opposite sides of the valve body 100.
[0021] In an arrangement as illustrated in the figures, the liquid or fluid conduit 120 is molded with the valve body 100. The liquid or fluid conduit 120 is molded so as to extend along the Y-axis, the two aforementioned ends 108a and 108b being coaxial. The liquid or fluid conduit 120 is a hollow element. At least one end 108a or 108b of the liquid or fluid conduit 120 includes a reinforcing element 122. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 122 is formed next to at least one of the first end 108a and the second end 108b of the liquid or fluid conduit 120. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reinforcing element is a plurality of reinforcing ribs 122 that extend radially outwards from one of the first end 108a and the second end 108b of the liquid or fluid conduit 120.
[0022] Each rib of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 122 or 122 is die-cast such that it connects the end 108 of the liquid or fluid conduit 120 to various components of the valve body on at least one of the two sides near the ends 108a and / or 108b. The plurality of ribs 122 is arranged such that it connects the end 108b of the liquid or fluid conduit 120 to various components of the valve body 100 as illustrated in [Fig. 1].
[0023] For example, at least two ribs 122a and 122e extend from end 108b to gas conduit 102. At least one rib 122b extends from end 108b to a shaft housing 136 perpendicular to gas conduit 102. At least two ribs 122c and 122f extend from end 108b to a motor housing 130 in valve body 100. At least one rib 122d extends from end 108b to gear mechanism housing 132.
[0024] Similarly, the plurality of ribs 122 is arranged such that it connects the end 108a of the liquid or fluid conduit 120 to various components of the valve body 100 as illustrated in [Fig.2].
[0025] For example, at least one rib 122a extends from the end 108a to the gas conduit 102. At least one rib 122b extends from the end 108a to a shaft housing 136 perpendicular to the gas conduit 102. At least one rib 122f extends from the end 108a to a motor housing 130 in the valve body 100. At least two ribs 122c, 122d extend from the end 108a to the gear mechanism housing 132.
[0026] In one arrangement, the valve body 100 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 122 that converge radially towards the first end 108a or the second end 108b along the Y-axis of the liquid or fluid conduit 120. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 122 are arranged around the first end 108a or the second end 108b in a well-spaced manner. The thickness of each rib 122a to 122f is in the range of 1.5 mm to 3 mm.
[0027] In an arrangement, the first external conduit 124a and the second external conduit 124b are connected to the first end 108a and the second end 108b by mechanical assembly, including press-fitting, press-fitting, welding, joining, plating, etc. The first external conduit 124a and the second external conduit 124b are connected to the first end 108a and the second end 108b preferably by press-fitting.
[0028] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the liquid or fluid conduit 120 extends along the Y axis which is parallel to the gas conduit (not shown in the figures) which extends along the X axis.
[0029] The liquid or fluid conduit 120 is pressure-molded and then machined to allow for the press-fitting of external conduits 124a and 124b. The process for obtaining the valve body 100 is not limited to high-pressure molding but also includes gravity casting.
[0030] A certain surface area is required to absorb the forces necessary for the press-fitting of the external conduits 124a and 124b. As mentioned above, an opposing force is conventionally applied at opposite, non-coaxial or offset ends. Here, the force required to fix the external conduits 124a to end 108a is provided by the reinforcing element 122 on the first end of the liquid or fluid conduit 120. Similarly, the second external conduit 124b is connected to the second end 108b of the liquid or fluid conduit 120. As mentioned above, the reinforcing element 122 on the second end 108b of the liquid or fluid conduit 120 provides the force required to fix the second conduit 124b to end 108b. As mentioned above, the reinforcing element is a plurality of ribs 122 extending from the ends 108 to various components of the valve body 100.Reinforcing element 122 is in action. also as a heat dissipation element. The reinforcing element 122 provides an opposing force to coaxially connect the first conduit 124a and the second conduit 124b to the liquid or fluid conduit 120 in order to form a cooling circuit 10. At least a portion of the first external conduit 124a and a portion of the second external conduit 124b are coaxial along the Y axis of the valve body 100, as illustrated in [Fig.3].
[0031] The valve body 100 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs 122 which are distributed angularly and regularly around the first end 108a or the second end 108b of the conduit for liquid or fluid 120. Each rib can form an angle in the range of 30 to 90 degrees with the other rib.
[0032] In an arrangement for die casting or gravity casting, a minimum thickness is essential. The valve body 100 is molded with a thickness in the range of 1.5 to 3 mm. Due to this minimum thickness, it is impossible to have opposing and coaxial external conduits 124 that provide sufficient surface area to withstand the insertion forces. The reinforcing element 122 thus allows the liquid or fluid conduit to be arranged along the same axis for the mechanical assembly of the conduits 124 by absorbing the force required to secure the first external conduit 124a and the second external conduit 124b.
[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, an electromechanical actuator is proposed in [Fig. 4]. The actuator comprises a valve body 100 as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. Such an actuator includes a gas conduit 102, a flap mounted on a shaft, an electric motor 130, and a gear mechanism 132 kinematically mounted between the motor 130 and the flap. The electric motor may include a stator and a rotor. The gear mechanism is housed within a gear mechanism housing 132 in the valve body 100. The flap is a butterfly-type flap. A cover 140 is used to close the gear mechanism housing 132 at the top of the valve body 100. An electrical connection element 142 is provided on the valve body 100.
[0034] The aforementioned valve body 100 is not limited to an electronic butterfly control but also includes a pneumatic butterfly valve, a low pressure gas recirculation valve or a high pressure gas recirculation valve.
[0035] In this arrangement, the first external conduit 24a serves as the liquid inlet and the second external conduit 124b serves as the liquid outlet. Alternatively, the first external conduit 124a serves as the liquid outlet and the second external conduit 124b serves as the liquid inlet. The circulating liquid is water, water with additives, or a liquid with a viscosity equivalent to that of water. Preferably, the circulating liquid is a coolant.
[0036] The valve body 100 and the liquid or fluid conduit 120, including the reinforcing element 102, are made of a material suitable for high pressure and high temperature. The material is chosen to avoid metallurgical defects such as shrinkage, porosity, or leakage. The material of the valve body 100 is chosen from aluminum, copper, magnesium, polymer materials, ceramic materials, carbon-based materials, etc. The valve body 100 is preferably made of aluminum.
[0037] Various additional modifications to this invention may occur to a person skilled in the art. All variations that may be made to the specific teachings of the various embodiments of this description, based essentially on the principles and their equivalents constituting an advance of the art, are duly considered to be included within the scope of the invention as described and claimed.
[0038] In the claims, the reference symbols in parentheses should not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.
Claims
Demands
1. Valve body (100) for an electromechanical actuator of a motor vehicle, comprising a gas conduit (102) extending through the valve body (100) along an X axis, a liquid or fluid conduit (120) extending through the valve body (100) along a Y axis, the liquid or fluid conduit (120) having two ends (108a, 108b), a first external conduit (124a) connected to the first end (108a) of the liquid or fluid conduit (120) and a second external conduit (124b) connected to the second end (108b) of the liquid or fluid conduit (120), characterized in that at least one of the two ends (108a, 108b) of the liquid or fluid conduit (120) comprises a reinforcing element (122), the reinforcing element (122) being a plurality of ribs reinforcement formed near at least one of the two ends (108a, 108b) of the conduit for liquid or fluid (120).
2. Valve body (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension direction of the liquid or fluid conduit (120) is parallel to the extension direction of the gas conduit.
3. Valve body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a portion of the first external conduit (124a) and at least a portion of the second external conduit (124b) are coaxial along the Y axis of the valve body (100).
4. Valve body according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (100) is molded under high pressure with the reinforcing element (122).
5. Valve body according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of reinforcing ribs is distributed angularly around the first end (108a) and / or the second end (108b) of the conduit for liquid or fluid (120).
6. Valve body according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of reinforcing ribs converge towards the first end (108a) and / or the second end (108b) of the conduit for liquid or fluid (120) in the direction of the Y axis.
7. Valve body according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first external conduit (124a) and the second external conduit (124b) are press-fitted respectively into the first end (108a) and the second end (108b).
8. Electromechanical actuator comprising a valve body (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, a movable flap mounted on a shaft, an electric motor (130) and a gear mechanism (132) kinematically mounted between the motor (130) and the flap.